NFL Extra Points Credit Card Review: A Card for True Fans

Did you know there’s an NFL credit card? If you’re a big football fan, the NFL Extra Points Credit Card from Barclaycard could be a great credit card choice to not only show your team spirit, but to take advantage of discounts on NFL purchases and exclusive NFL rewards that include unique experiences you just can’t buy. Of course, whether the card is right for you depends on how deep your love of football runs — and your spending habits in general. In this NFL Points Credit Card review, we’ll dive into its major terms and conditions to help you decide if you’d like to add the card to your wallet.

The NFL Extra Points Credit Card Overview

To start with, NFL credit card holders earn two points per dollar spent on NFL and team purchases such as game tickets, in-stadium purchases and merchandise bought at team pro shops. Double points are also earned on NFL DirectTV purchases. Applicants can choose a customized card that includes the logo of their favorite NFL team. Other benefits include a 20% discount on all purchases from NFLShop.com.

Points can be redeemed for rewards including game tickets, team jerseys and gift cards towards purchases at NFLShop.com. In addition, NFL card rewards can be redeemed for experiences such as visits to team training camps, sideline passes and entry into a post-game press conference. In fact, the rewards differ depending on the team offering it, and each team is encouraged to come up with its own opportunities for its fans. Tickets for the playoffs and even the Super Bowl are available as rewards, or alternatively, rewards can be redeemed for cash-back statement credits at a rate of one cent per point, starting at $25.

Why We Like It

New account holders can receive 10,000 bonus points after spending $500 in the first 90 days. That’s enough to redeem for $100 cash back. There’s also no limit to the amount of rewards you can earn.

New NFL Extra Points credit cardholders also receive six billing cycles of special 0% annual percentage rate (APR) financing for eligible ticket purchases, and 15 months of interest-free financing for balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening, with a 3% balance transfer fee (or $5, whichever is greater). After that the standard APR for purchases is a variable 16.24%, 21.24% or 26.24%, based on your credit. (You can check your credit scores for free on Credit.com to see where you stand.)

Finally, cardholders enjoy Visa Signature Benefits including zero liability on unauthorized transactions, a 24-hour concierge service, lost luggage reimbursement and a purchase security policy. There is no annual fee for this card.

The Advantages of the NFL Extra Points Card

This card offers rewards that are not available for sale, such as the team experiences. It also allows cardholders to redeem rewards for scarce game tickets that can be difficult to purchase. And when points are redeemed for playoff and Super Bowl tickets, most cardholders would feel that they are receiving far more value than the purchase price of the tickets, which is far less than most fans pay.

The Disadvantages of the NFL Extra Points Card

As with other rewards credit cards, the NFL Extra Points card is not ideal for those who tend to carry a balance as its standard interest rate is higher than competitive low-interest credit cards. (You can check out the best low-interest credit cards.) In addition, cardholders will only receive 1% returns when they choose to redeem their rewards for cash back, which is a substandard rate of return at a time when other cards offer 1.5% or 2% cash back on all purchases. It’s only when rewards are redeemed for team experiences or game tickets that cardholders have the opportunity to earn the most competitive value from their rewards.

Who Is This Card Right For?

This is the card for NFL fans who want to earn rewards they can get excited about. Many credit card users find cash-back rewards of 1% or even 2% to be boring, and other rewards such as frequent-flier miles and hotel points to be difficult and confusing to redeem. On the other hand, every NFL fan would be intrigued by the chance to see their team up close during practice, on the sidelines or in a press conference. And for many football fans, earning credit card rewards could be their only chance to attend the Super Bowl, when tickets cost thousands of dollars on the secondary market.

NFL Extra Points Credit Card FAQs

How many points are required to receive game tickets?

Point totals required for ticket redemption can vary from team to team, but for the most part, two regular season game tickets are available for 25,000 points.

How do cardholders qualify for special ticket financing?

Cardholders receive six billing cycles of interest-free financing when they purchase tickets from any NFL team ticket office, but tickets purchased from other non-NFL outlets will not qualify. After six billing periods any outstanding balance will be subject to a variable APR of 15.74%, 20.74% or 25.74%, which will be determined at account opening based on your creditworthiness.

How are points redeemed for statement credits?

You can redeem at least 2,500 points for a $25 statement credit online. Points can also be redeemed for official NFL merchandise, tickets, Pro Shop gift cards and VIP Team experiences.

Alternatives to the NFL Extra Points Credit Card

As we mentioned earlier, football fans prone to carrying a balance may want to opt for a low-interest or balance-transfer credit card instead. Here’s a quick overview of two potential alternatives. (Note: For full terms and conditions, please visit the issuer’s website.)

Simmons Bank Visa Platinum

Why We’re Mentioning It: One of the better low-interest credit cards on the market, the Simmons Bank Visa Platinum offers a variable 9.5% APR on purchases and balance transfers. Plus, there are no balance-transfer fees, making it a low-cost alternative for someone looking to have a credit card in case of emergencies without the risk of overspending to earn rewards.

Earn cash back twice on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Balance Transfers do not earn cash back

0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 14.74% - 24.74% based on your creditworthiness*

Click 'Apply Now' to see the applicable balance transfer fee and how making a balance transfer impacts interest on purchases.

No categories to track, no caps on cash back, no annual fee*

Card Details +

Why We’re Mentioning It: The Citi Double Cash credit card (see full review here) offers an Intro: 0%* for 18 months on Balance Transfers* for $5 or a 3% balance transfer fee (whichever is greater). After that the balance transfer APR will be the same as the purchase APR — a 14.74% - 24.74%* (Variable). That’s comparable to the NFL Extra Points Credit Card, we know, but the Citi Double Cash also rewards cardholders for paying down debt. You can get 1% cash back when you buy and then another 1% cash back as you pay down your balance. Plus, cardholders get access to Citi Private Pass, where you can purchase tickets and VIP packages to sporting events, among other things. (Full Disclosure: Citibank advertises on Credit.com, but that results in no preferential editorial treatment.)

Annual Fee: $0*

APR: 14.74% - 24.74%* (Variable)

At publishing time, the NFL Extra Points and the Citi Double Cash credit cards are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for any of these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.

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